Scaldis Amber | Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl

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The Scaldis Amber is flushed with a bitter-sweet taste, and a pleasing consistency, courtesy, in part, of its balanced caramel malts. Those malts also introduce a strong streak of roasted nuts, adding to this beer's stand out flavour. Despite its initial filtering, the re-fermentation has given the beer a natural cloudiness, while also making for a mild and tender mouth-feel.

Reviews by SaucyA:

Looks alright in a tulip, slight lacing, but no real head to speak of. Dark golden, almost amber affect.

Smell's wonderful. I could smell this beer all night. Apples and citrus mostly, with a bit of alcohol.

Taste is way too strong, and just not complex enough. Carmel and molasses... I don't like how harsh the alcohol is... there's no attempt to hide it. Perhaps I'm not enough accustomed to quads, but I've had strong beers that hide their abv a lot better. It's got a bit of flavors underlying that are dying to be tasted.

It's got a medium body with light carbonation. A little oily, and not very appealing.

I wouldn't seek this out again. As much as I wanted to enjoy it, I just couldn't find enough redeeming qualities in the taste that made me want to grab another. I'll finish this one and mark it off my list.

More User Reviews:

Now there are two types of bush in this world: One that produces delicious berries, and George W Bush. Hopefully Bush Ambrée is good Bush. TBH, this one caught me by surprise, I thought I had reviewed some pretty big Belgian beers in the past but Bush claims to be “THE STRONGEST BELGIAN BEER” quite prominently on the back label. I had to check back over all the Belgian beers I’ve reviewed and the only thing that comes close to 12% ABV is Trappistes Rochefort 10 at 11.3%... so I guess Bush is the strongest then.

Poured from a 330ml bottle into a Chimay chalice.

A: Yee HAW! We got us a heap o’ them yeast particles floating around up in them there glass *best Yosemite Sam impression*. Along with a typical amber body and thin white lace I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much yeast floating in a glass, it’s a massive yeast party [insert highly (in)appropriate yeast infection joke here]... a little off-settling actually. 6/10.

S: Over ripe apples and pear, hints of dark fruit and quite a big boozy note, hope it’s not a half glass of beer with Grandmas brandy making up the rest, fingers crossed. Add a truckload of sugar, and you’ll be spot on the aroma of Bush. 7/10.

T: Yep. Sugar. Truckloads. But we expected that from the Belgians who famously use truckloads of sugar in their brews, and this is THE strongest Belgian beer one can buy, so yeah, obvious really. Once you get past the overbearing sweetness though there are some nice flavours at play with the over ripe apples, pears providing some acidity to cut through the sweetness, along with notes of plum with bready yeast, and a medicinal bitter finish. 8/10.

M: Medium to heavy body with a dense, excitable carbonation. 7/10.

D: Good? Yes. I can however feel a headache coming on like a swarm of sharks smelling blood in the water. Better pop a couple Aspirin with this brew. I do appreciate that my face is warm now, living in Canberra (which is the Australian word for “cold winters”). Overall though this beer is competing in the best stable in the world - the pedigree of Belgian Strong Ales, and there are many other great options: Duvel (of course!), La Chouffe, Piraat and Delirium Tremens. That said it is cheaper than all of those... this is then, I do declare, the best cheapest Belgian Strong Ale you can get, yay! 8/10.

Scaldis Amber is sold in Europe under its original name, "Bush Beer", but I think the North American title better suits it anyhow; it sounds like "scalding" which is perfect given the fiery amber colour, blazing highlights and red-hot 11.8% alcohol. (Though, to be sure, there's no confusing this flashy, fancy looking beer for "the official sponsor of fishing, hunting and Nascar").

Dubuisson has been cultivating the same yeast for this ale since the recipe's inception, over 80 years ago. Hey, when it ain't broke. This mildly zesty, peppery strain helps lighten the thick, gooey, caramelly maltiness and is a complimentary match to the underlying fruity alcohol esters. The beer smells strong but has seriously satiating and sedative elements too.

It's easy to get lost in this Aladdin's cave of flavours: macerated and mulled orchard fruits alongside toffee, maple fudge, banana split, dark honey, and a kind of dried fruit-and-nut granola that's been baked in syrup. Even some berry notes. The brewery grows its own hops but apparently forgot to use any. Still, it never really gets cloying. It's actually curiously creamy.

This brewer has a thing for strong, sweet beers - and he pulls them off very well. Reading the label then looking at and smelling it you half expect to be breathing fire. But alas, the mouthfeel is ultra-honeyed and alcohol extremely mellow. Still, it's best to approach this as you would a brandy or cognac: something best suited to a snifter and plate of nuts and fine cheeses.

Brasserie Dubuisson dates back to 1769 and has had eight consecutive generations of father to son brewmasters (and, as if that isn't remarkable enough, the brewing lineage goes back even further than that, predating the family brewery). Do you think that might have something to do with why their beers (like this Amber) are so good? Probably, right?

Pours a deep orange with lighter head than expected,aroma was rich and nutty with some concentrated orange aromas as well.Flavors are sweet and orange liquore tasting pretty syrupy with some light nutty flavors that linger in the finish.The alcohol is very prevelant even more as it warms.I think this would be a nice nightcap,would make ya sleep well Iam sure.

Smell  Light yeast aroma with a strong spiciness typical of the style. The coriander especially is very strong. The nose finishes with a lovely fruitiness consisting of big Florida oranges, cranberries, some cherry, and maybe raspberries.

Taste  Beautiful dough and orange flavors come out in the tongue. The alcohol also is much more prominent than in the nose. The strong fruity finish is consistent with the nose, yet not as complex.

Mouthfeel  Nearly full in the mouth with a strong alcohol sensation and well carbonated.

Drinkability  The alcohol notes will make or break your opinion of this ale. If its too much for you, you wont be able to enjoy it. If youre used to drinking hard liquor and the sting of 100 proof booze isnt offending, youll be able to appreciate this ale.

LOOK (3/5) Pours a light copper to amber with a lot of orange - nice color. It was very opaque, about as much as a witbier. Some particles are held in suspension, which I don't like. It produces very little head and falls to nothing very quickly and leaves no lacing.

SMELL (4.5/5) Malty with a decent helping of the munich/vienna mailard notes (prune/plum/dates). The main twist here is a lot more sour tartness that I'd expect from this style (though much less than a Flanders Red or a Gueuze) there is also a tinge of brunky earthiness that may be brett. This switches the balance from sweet to more tart and reminiscent of figs and dried berries. No real hops, pepper, or alcohol (at 12%!).

TASTE (4.5/5) The flavour is really similar to the nose and all the same characters are present. The rich mailard malt is played up by a yeast character that's tart and sour as well as earth and brunky - the result is a complex fig, dried grape/berry/cherry flavor. Very smooth! The finish is good - balance is acheived with the malt and the tart. A bit of pepper and alcohol warmth on the finish.

FEEL (4/5) Carbonation is pretty weak & the body is medium-light, it would be velvety. That being said, the flavor is strong enough that if there more body it would have been too much. Tartness tickles the mouth on the finish and some lasting syrupy sweetness.

DRINK (3.5/5) Very flavorful and so tasty! It has a kinda port. More of a sipper, not a session.

T/M: Chewy mouthfeel brings with it a lighter than expected body that delivers a lot of what the nose promises. Raisons, sugar, bakers sweets, some subtle green fruit on the finish all on top of simple solid malt. The alcohol is very warming, barely percieved on the tongue but I already feel it in my head after 4 or 5 sips. Finish is dry and slightly astringent with quite a bit of spice on the back of the throat and tongue.

D: um...12% ABV....4 bucks for 8 oz's...hard to find...what do you expect. that being said, its a great nightcap.

this beer is a style unto itself, unlike any other quadrupel I know. presents a lot of barley wine qualities with a belgian beer mouthfeel. very interesting and enjoyable.

Enjoyed at Cafe Hollander in Wauwatosa, WI as part of their first Belgian Beer Dinner. This beer was poured into a small wine glass and served close to room temperature. It had a reddish-mahogany body with a little bit of foam around the sides of the glass. Aromas of dried cherries, cinnamon, and oak. Full bodied mouthfeel that coats your tongue in silky sweet malts with a pleasant alcohol warmth. This is the perfect substitute for an after-dinner port.

Served in a goblet, the beer was a clear golden color with a small head. A decent amount of lacing. The aroma was sweet fruit with a little malt. More fruit in the taste, as well as some spice. Warmth from the alcohol also apparent. Pretty full-bodied, and a bit of a handful. One of these was enough.

Presentation: Tiny 8.4 oz brown bottle with a dark orange foil over the cap. A lot # or odd freshness date on the side of the label could be deciphered as the month, week of the month and year to drink before.

Appearance: Aggressively carbonated though with the beer being thick it takes its time as it rolls to the top to form a rocky head. Peachy orange colour with small flakes of yeast floating around.

Smell: Peppery sweet alcohol, ripe tropical fruit like pineapple and mango are thrown to the nostrils. Some malt sweetness is the back also.

Taste: Creamy medium body with a thick carbonation, big unwavering alcoholic character is there from start to finish. Peppery and warming with a sweetish sherry like flavour. Nectarine? Fruitiness is there but mixed. Hints of medicinal phenols. Malt flavour is cake like and a bit doughy, it seems uniform all the way through also. Hops a mild and a bit of a veggie flavour peeks in. Finishes with more alcohol and leaves some residual sweetness.

Notes: Impressively strong yet balanced in a way given its strength. Makes a perfect dessert beer or a night cap to sip on. Certainly is close to the barley wine style though still lined with a big Belgian influence.

Pours a clear amber body with a small beige head. Some delicate curtains of lace decorate the goblet. Aroma is very fruity with melon and ripe banana. Medium body with subdued carbonation. Taste is sweet with fruity melon. Some noble hops bitterness and alcohol warmth. Too sweet to be very drinkable.

Purchased a can of Bush Amber at a market in Brussels.
Appearance-Cloudy, amber color with thick tan off-white head that dissipates after a few drinks
Smell-Heavy on malt aroma with slight fruity, yeasty aroma, with hints of ethanol
Taste-Plenty of hops hold on at end. Alcohol bite is noticeable after a couple drinks but then blends nicely towards bottom. Malt flavor is good but a little light considering heavy alcohol level. Definitely a unique taste.
Mouthfeel-Heavy body, alcohol is noticeable.
Drinkability-Worth 1-3, much past that and it won't matter.